The two conflicting statements, issued almost simultaneously, baffled the editors and station managers and forced Togo to take precipitous action. Anami’s statement would undoubtedly lead the Allies to believe that Japan was resolved to continue hostilities. The formal notes informing the Allies of Japan’s willingness to surrender were being processed through sluggish diplomatic channels, and a few hours’ delay might mean a third atomic bomb. Why not send out the official note immediately as a news story? There was a good possibility some military censor, if he recognized the contents of the
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